A change this small is generally treated as a straight substitution. Speedometer error stays under three percent and the clearance designed around 265/70R17 is largely preserved. The section width still changes by 0.39 inches, so confirm your rim width suits 275/55R20 before ordering.
Want to try other sizes against these? Open this comparison in the interactive tool.
This is a plus-size: bigger wheel, shorter sidewall
Going from 265/70R17 to 275/55R20 moves the rim from 17 inches to 20 and drops the aspect ratio from 70 to 55. That is the classic plus-size pattern, and the intention behind it is usually appearance and steering response rather than clearance.
The sidewall shrinks from 7.3 inches to 5.95 — 1.35 inches less rubber between the rim and the road. Less sidewall flex sharpens turn-in and makes the steering feel more immediate, which is the point.
The trade is real and worth stating plainly. A shorter sidewall transmits more of the road surface into the cabin, and it leaves the rim far more exposed to pothole damage. Replacement cost also rises, because both the larger wheel and the lower-profile tire are more expensive than what they replace.
265/70R17 and 275/55R20 measured against each other
Both sizes reduced to the same units. The diameter row is the one that drives everything else on this page — ride height, gearing, speedometer accuracy and odometer readings all follow from it.
| Measurement | 265/70R17 | 275/55R20 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter | 31.61" | 31.91" | +0.3" (+1%) |
| Section width | 10.43" (265 mm) | 10.83" (275 mm) | +0.39" |
| Sidewall height | 7.3" | 5.95" | −1.35" |
| Rim diameter | 17" | 20" | +3" |
| Circumference | 99.29" | 100.25" | +0.95" |
| Revolutions per mile | 638 | 632 | −6 |
| Ride height at axle | Baseline | +0.15" | +0.15" |
What the dial shows against how fast you are going
Your speedometer was calibrated to 265/70R17, which turns about 638 times per mile. Fit 275/55R20 at about 632 revolutions per mile and the same wheel speed now represents a greater road speed than the instrument assumes. The error is 1% at every speed, so it grows in absolute terms the faster you go.
| Speedometer reads | You are actually doing | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 30.3 mph | +0.3 mph |
| 45 mph | 45.4 mph | +0.4 mph |
| 60 mph | 60.6 mph | +0.6 mph |
| 75 mph | 75.7 mph | +0.7 mph |
Over distance the same proportion applies to the odometer. Every indicated 1,000 miles on 275/55R20 is really about 1010 miles covered — worth knowing on a leased vehicle, where recorded mileage and real mileage drift apart.
What this particular change asks you to check
- Section width grows by 0.39 inches, so the tire sits closer to the strut and the inner liner on both sides.
- Overall height grows by 0.3 inches, of which 0.15 inches goes upward into the arch — check at full lock and full compression.
- The rim diameter changes from 17 inches to 20 inches, so this swap needs different wheels as well as different tires.
- Speedometer error of 1% — check whether your vehicle supports recalibrating for a new tire size.
- Confirm the load index on 275/55R20meets or exceeds the figure on the vehicle's tire placard, particularly if the vehicle tows or carries load.
- On all-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive vehicles, change all four together — mismatched rolling circumferences load the differentials and transfer case continuously.
265/70R17 vs 275/55R20 FAQ
Is 275/55R20 bigger than 265/70R17?+
275/55R20 measures 31.91 inches in overall diameter against 31.61 inches for 265/70R17. That makes it 0.3 inches taller, a change of +1%. It is also 0.39 inches wider in section width.
Will 275/55R20 fit in place of 265/70R17?+
The diameter change is +1%, which falls inside the 3% envelope generally treated as a routine substitution. That makes it a plausible swap, but the section width also changes by 0.39 inches, so confirm the rim width suits the new size and check clearance at full lock.
How much lift does 275/55R20 give over 265/70R17?+
0.15 inches at the axle — half the diameter difference. The other half of the change goes upward into the wheel arch, which is where fitment problems usually appear.
How far off will my speedometer be?+
The speedometer will read low by about 1%. At an indicated 60 mph you would actually be travelling about 60.6 mph, and every indicated 1,000 miles would really be about 1010.
Do I need to regear for 275/55R20?+
A +1% change is small enough that most vehicles absorb it without complaint. Regearing is usually considered from around 10% upward, or sooner on a vehicle that tows regularly.
What is the revolutions-per-mile difference?+
265/70R17 turns about 638 times per mile and 275/55R20 about 632 — a difference of −6 revolutions. That figure is what the speedometer and odometer are calibrated against, which is why both readings shift.
These are nominal figures. Every number above is calculated from the marked size. Real tires vary from nominal by a few millimetres between manufacturers, and by more as tread wears or pressure changes. Use this to plan and to check a quote — measure the actual tire before committing to a tight fitment.